Boeing 737 Max crisis spurs US review of how FAA approves jets

Bloomberg

The US Transportation Department is creating a special commission to review how newly designed aircraft are certified, spurred by criticism after two deadly crashes of Boeing Co’s 737 Max.
The commission will evaluate how the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) oversees the process of reviewing and approving new plane models, including the government’s growing use of aircraft manufacturers’ employees to sign off on designs. The FAA joined other global regulators in grounding the 737 Max family of jets on March 13, after evidence surfaced linking the two fatal incidents.
“Safety is the number one priority of the Department, and this review by leading outside experts will help determine if improvements can be made to the FAA aircraft certification process,” Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao said in a statement.
The new review adds to the stepped-up scrutiny of the 737 Max as Boeing works with airlines and regulators this week to prepare a software update for the workhorse jetliner.
A criminal investigation led by the Justice Department is also underway, as is an audit of by the Transportation Department’s inspector general of the 737 Max’s approval. The Senate is holding a hearing on Wednesday to review aviation safety in the wake of the two crashes.